We Just Found Out Exactly Who Police Are Hunting In Mexico's Most Powerful Drug Cartel

Federal prosecutors in San Diego unsealed 14 grand jury
indictments on Friday against 60 members of Mexico's most
powerful drug enterprise, the Sinaloa cartel, including many
listed as among the group's leaders and top enforcers.

The cartel has smuggled tons of cocaine, heroin and
methamphetamine into the United States since the 1990s, primarily
across the U.S.–Mexico border in California and Arizona. Border
officials have said drug-smuggling tunnels under the border are
the work of the cartel.

The 60 people named on Friday are charged with operating a
criminal enterprise, conspiracy to import methamphetamine,
marijuana and cocaine, conspiracy to distribute those drugs,
conspiracy to launder money and importation of the drugs,
according to the indictments.

Among those named are Ismael Zambada-Garcia, known as "El Mayo,"
who is at large and built the cartel with partner Joaquin
"Shorty" Guzman, who was arrested last year in Mexico and is
under indictment on federal charges in Chicago.

Two of Zambada-Garcia's sons and one of Guzman's sons are also
named.

The indictments stem from a three-year investigation. Many of
those indicted are already in federal custody or on the run in
Mexico, and the indictments allow U.S. authorities to begin
extradition proceedings, prosecutors said.

"The DEA and our law enforcement partners will continue to target
and investigate this violent and dangerous cartel until its
worldwide operations are completely dismantled," Drug Enforcement
Agency San Diego special agent in charge William Sherman said in
a statement.

The investigation began in the Southern California cities of
Chula Vista and National City with a probe of what appeared to be
a small drug distribution ring that law enforcement later
determined was tied to the cartel, prosecutors said.

The investigation grew to encompass major U.S. cities including
Chicago, New York and Los Angeles.

The cartel is alleged to have smuggled cocaine, heroin, marijuana
and the chemicals used to make methamphetamine from Asian and
Latin American countries into Mexico, then exporting the product
to the United States across the U.S. southern border.

Investigators recovered 3,642 pounds (1,652 kg) of meth, 2,961
pounds (1,343 kg) of cocaine, and 12.2 tons of marijuana, as well
as $14.1 million in currency in the course of the investigation,
according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

About half of the 60 people named in the indictments are
fugitives, including one of Zambada-Garcia's sons. Five are in
Mexican custody and 25 are in U.S. custody, prosecutors said.